Dunham Family and My Stroke Story!

 Today I went to the convenient store to get some gas for my car.   I told the clerk that I needed “$10 bucks on number 5.” The clerk seemed perplexed and I said, “Is something wrong?”  At that store there are six spots for gas. I was at the store at 4:30 AM at the parking lot was empty other than my vehicle. She said, “You want $10 bucks on number five but you are parked beneath number four.”  I sighed and explained not because of my Aphasia sometimes numbers are difficult for me to distinguish. But I’m a good tipper restaurants!

Recently I was having trouble opening my garage door. We have had the same code for years to open the garage door. After several frustrating tries garage door opened. Instantly I was worried that my brain fog manifested to the point where I could not remember numbers.  Aphasia is different for different people. For me, handwriting, numbers, and reading are difficult.    After my strokes, I was supposed to walk for exercise. However, my wife would let me walk until I could understand the numbers for our address. Even now punching in a garage code and looking at the numbers for our street address is difficult. When I am exhausted or stressed it’s even worse.  The good news is the issue with the garage door code was a dead battery.

The COVID-19 pandemic shouldn’t reduce access to stroke rehabilitation Thursday, October 29th is World Stroke Day and for the nearly 800,000 lives changed by stroke in the U.S. each year, rehabilitation offers a way to achieve the best possible recovery from a stroke. As a stroke survivor I know firsthand the importance of rehabilitation. When I was recovering from two strokes in January 2012, it was a long road and I couldn’t have done it without support from my family and my therapists. Even as the COVID-19 pandemic changes the way healthcare is delivered, it is important for stroke survivors to take advantage of the first three months after a stroke. After a stroke, a person may need therapy to learn to walk or talk again, re-learn skills needed to be independent, recover communications and cognition skills, and address other consequences of stroke. For six months, I endured intense speech, occupational and physical therapy about six times a week. Unfortunately, during the COVID-...

 Recently, I was contacted by a woman seeking political office. She asked me to endorse her for a national office for a trade association. I asked her why my endorsement would make a difference especially because I haven’t been around that industry for 15 years.  She responded writing, “You are still known and well loved by so many CEO's across the country! This will be so impactful!”   When I announced that I was not running for another term to be on the Board of the College of Western Idaho, at the same time I did announce my endorsement for woman to replace me. By the deadline to file for that seat, my endorsed candidate was unopposed. She thanked me and said my public support made the difference.   Around 20 years ago, an incumbent Idaho Governor asked me to chair his lobbying committee.  In other words, he wanted to use my “name” and reach out to all of the lobbyists in the state to help his reelection campaign.   When I asked him, “...

Endorses Senator Cherie Buckner-Webb as his replacement (Boise/Nampa) Mark Dunham, one of the original board members for the College of Western Idaho, announced today that he will not seek another term.  In July of 2007, the State Board of Education appointed Dunham to be on the Board of the College of Western Idaho when voters in Ada and Canyon Counties approved the formation of a new community college. Dunham successfully ran three times for the board. “The highlight of my professional career has been serving on the CWI board. I love our students and their successes. For 13 years, I have put my whole heart and soul into the College of Western Idaho. However, I look forward to supporting a trustee who will continue to serve the Treasure Valley and the diverse community we all serve. I have been involved in Idaho’s higher education world for 25 years. A new trustee will bring a different perspective to the issues. Change is a good thing,” said Dunham.     Dunham went o...

My wife and I are the dissection duo. 8 1/2 years ago I had a carotid dissection (strokes) which left me with aphasia, apraxia and other assorted invisible challenges A week ago my wife had coronary dissection (heart attack). She has a spontaneous coronary artery dissection — sometimes referred to as SCAD — is an uncommon emergency condition that occurs when a tear forms in a blood vessel in the heart. SCAD can slow or block blood flow to the heart, causing a heart attack, abnormalities in heart rhythm or sudden death. She almost died. Both of us were in good health, never smoked ever, ate right, etc. Now my wife is experiencing a common “when will it happen again.” Every twinge of pain sounds both of us in a panic. When my strokes happened our son was six years old. Today he is 15 years old. He had to grow too soon with my medical problems. Now he’s right back to square one knowing that his mother almost died. Of course I’m worried about my wife’s health and my health b...

I have not blogged recently. It has been difficult to keep my thoughts together. There are many reasons, I think. The Covid situation is an underlying cause. My anxiety about this makes me too lethargic and sad. In this midst of Covid, a friend’s 17-year-old son drowned. Watching my son deal with his first death of a friend has been disconcerting and heartbreaking. Grieving is a personal thing and the anguish is even worse when having a funeral is not an option. During this horrible month, we have also been dealing with my mother-in-law’s deteriorating health. Trying to adhere to social distancing is tough enough yet struggling to find the best care has been overwhelming. Care facilities are not safe in these days even if those places took new patients. The medical systems are overwhelmed. We are overwhelmed as well. The next issue are my damnable headaches. My doctor thinks they are tension headaches, and I agree. With this surreal worldwide condition and the emotional toll ...

Yesterday, I was having a conversation with a friend. I mentioned that this dreamlike pandemic has made me even more protective of my 15 year old son. With this great unknown I tell my son and my wife how much I love them. Probably too much.   I started my blog in 2008 as a sort of diary of my son. Since that time, I have posted 331 stories. The focus of my blog changed after my strokes. My first blog post after my stroke was short and exhausting to write. At that point, one of my many therapists made me do some blog posts. It was my homework just like repeating the alphabet and practicing counting.   As my recovery progressed, the blog posts were often dark and angry reflecting my mindset at the time. I would lash out about my angry fears, depression, and the loss of me. It was not until a reporter, Dan Popkey of the Idaho Statesman, told me that my blog was part of his research when the newspaper published a story about me. I realized that my angry rants were actually ...

In the midst of this bizarre pandemic, in my little world, this situation is “just inconvenient.” I prepared for social isolation 8 years ago when I had my strokes in January of 2012.   Stroke  survivors are champions of social distancing before it was a "thing!" That month I lost my ability to communicate, my job, my security, and what I thought was my identity. Despite my strength, the strokes did not prepare me for the catastrophic social isolation that ensued. For the first year of my recovery, the isolation was overwhelming in several ways. Because of my aphasia, I could not communicate. The loss of literal of my voice was horrifying. I could not talk at all. Even now, 8 years later, my “speaking” is hesitant and slower. Later in the day, I miss words and get confused. Everything is very deliberate. Aphasia is not just the loss of “talking.” For me, it is the loss of reading, handwriting, and some aspects of math. Today as I type this blog post, I am “speaking...

My wife mentioned to me that we need to document this surreal pandemic. It is tough to even describe the “everyday tasks” we now take for granted. In Idaho where I live, the governor has issued a “stay at home” order. Most people do not know what that really means. "Liquor and gun stores" are essential yet accounting firms are not? If this is the Apocalypse, maybe one of the four horsemen in Revelations will be drunk with a gun. The unknown is scaring the whole world. The widgets of our worldwide economy are disrupted. People are starting to realize the term “social distancing” and “supply chain” issues. The heralded digital economy is great. However, the bottom line is farmers and the dependent businesses make the whole world work. In my small universe, I am dealing with the unknown ramifications of the pandemic.   I am on the Board of the College of Western Idaho. We serve around 34,000 students in several locations. The college is aggressively working to delive...

After my strokes 8 years ago, a group of fellow stroke survivors formed the Idaho Aphasia, Apraxia, and Dysarthria Support Group. We meet weekly in person at St. Luke's in Meridian, Idaho. We developed a Facebook presence as well (Idaho Aphasia, Apraxia, and Dysarthria Facebook). We have followers all over the world now. "Strokes" are physically debilitating of course. However, the social isolation is often the worst part of "recovery." Stroke support groups fill an important need for being "connected" even when a stroke survivor loses the ability to communicate especially "talking." I have suspended our "face-to-face" meetings until this world wide pandemic is over. This world wide pandemic makes stroke isolation even worse. I really want all of you to know – survivors, care-givers, nurses, therapists, and staffs of the hospitals who support our group – that I appreciate all that you do. I need this group for me...

Recently, I have had several severe headaches. I have had headaches ever since my strokes. My neurologist still does not understand why I have those headaches. It seems that the particular part of my brain that was damaged should not result in pain.   Nevertheless, as I tell new stroke survivors, every stroke and recovery is different.  I have headaches. I just deal with the reality. About 3 years ago, I was plagued with similar pain. Ultimately, I got a CT scan. That scan three years ago indicated that nothing has changed. I dealt with it. The recent series of headaches have been similar to the ones 3 years ago. After 6 weeks of pain, I finally went to the ER mainly because the intensity of the headaches was extreme. Two days ago, three Norcos did not help. Therefore, I went to my safe place, St. Alphonsus Regional Trauma Center in Boise, Idaho.  I spent 18 days there after my strokes 8 years ago. At the ER, I apologized to the staff because I feel guilty wastin...

A couple of days ago, I blogged about my new years resolutions. Today, I did my first "handwriting" task. Writing 4 sentences was really tough. I knew it would be. I got stuck on the words "sentences" and "tough." It is my "handwriting." I have always "printed" rather than using cursive. My 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. White, was not "nice to me" (in my 3rd grade mind) so I rebelled and printed.   Her only redeeming trait was she drove a 1959 Buick Electra which I loved. But I digress. The rest of my resolutions are a work in progress. I have not used the treadmill yet. Often, I endure headaches. For about two days, my headaches also caused nausea and lightheadedness. It was too dangerous to try. Today, of course, I feel better so I am doing too much again. I took my son to school. I changed an outlet in our kitchen. I stained some wood for a project. I installed a lighted outlet cover. I did my chore of handwriting and ...

Sometimes I have posted a blog about New Year's Resolutions. Of course, I do not adhere to my resolutions. Like most people. Perhaps I am lazy or my resolutions are not realistic. On the 8th anniversary of my "big" stroke, I might be too somber to even write a blog. My goals for the New Year are simple: 1.  Do a blog post every month. 2. "Handwrite" 4 sentences every other day. 3.  Use my treadmill three times a week. 4.  Start to outline a book about my life and my strokes. 5.  Do not beat myself up too much. It seems simple enough. The list seems attainable. Of course, there are some caveats to my list. BLOG:  When I started my blog it was for my son. After my strokes, my blog morphed into strokes, aphasia, sadness and some hope. It was my journal. My blog served several purposes. For months in rehab, several therapist "made" my start to blog again. The Occupational Therapist thought using a keyboard and using programs such as ...